2003 HONDA CIVIC COUPE octane

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km). Your Honda is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise in the engine that can lead to
mechanical damage.
We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malf unction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Honda dealer f or service.
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Break-in Period, Gasoline
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period Gasoline
156
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µ
The Maintenance Schedule specif ies
how of ten you should have your car
serviced and what things need
attention. It is essential that you have
your car serviced as scheduled to
retain its high level of saf ety,
dependability, and emissions control
perf ormance.
Avoidexceedingyourcar’sload
limit.Thisputsexcessstresson
the engine, brakes, and many
other parts of your car. The load
limit is shown on the label on the
driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your car on reasonable
roads within the legal speed limit.
Drive your car regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage).
The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule assume you will use your
car as normal transportation f or
passengers and their possessions.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations:
Service your car according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions if you drive your car
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than 10
miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long periods of
stop-and-go driving, such as a taxi
or a commercial delivery vehicle.
Driving with a roof rack, or driving
in mountainous conditions.
156
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Which Schedule to Follow:
U.S. Owners
192
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Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an
ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively ref erred to as
oxygenated f uels. To meet clean air
standards, some areas of the United
States and Canada use oxygenated
f uels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated f uel, be
sure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Bef ore using an oxygenated f uel, try
to conf irm the f uel’s contents. Some
states/provinces require this
informationtobepostedonthepump.If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Fuel system damage or perf ormance
problems resulting f rom the use of
an oxygenated f uel containing more
than the percentages of oxygenates
given above are not covered under
warranty.
(ethyl or grain alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 10 percent ethanol by volume.
Gasoline containing ethanol may be
marketed under the name ‘‘Gasohol.’’
The f ollowing are the U.S. EPA and
Canadian CGSB approved
percentages of oxygenates:
(Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 15 percent MTBE by volume.
(methyl or wood
alcohol)
Your vehicle was not designed to use
fuel that contains methanol.
Methanol can corrode metal parts in
the fuel system, and also damage
plastic and rubber components. This
damage would not be covered by
your warranties.
ET HA NOL
MT BE
MET HA NOL
Oxygenated Fuels
T echnical Inf ormation292
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If you are planning to take your
Honda outside the U.S. or Canada,
contact the tourist bureaus in the
areas you will be traveling in to f ind
out about the availability of unleaded
gasoline with the proper octane
rating.
If unleaded gasoline is not available,
be aware that using leaded gasoline
in your Honda will af f ect perf or-
mance and fuel mileage, and damage
its emissions controls. It will no
longer comply with U.S. and
Canadian emissions regulations, and
will be illegal to operate in North
America. To bring your car back into
compliance will require the replace-
ment of several components, such as
theoxygensensorsandthethree
way catalytic converter. These re-
placements are not covered under
warranty.
Driving in Foreign Countries
T echnical Inf ormation293
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CONT INUED
...........................................
Driving . 169
....................................
Economy . 162
.........................
In Bad Weather . 187
................
In Foreign Countries . 293
............................
Fabric, Cleaning . 253
...................................
Fan, Interior . 110
Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience . 109
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 157
Filters
................................
Air Cleaner . 219
.........................
Dust and Pollen . 229
...............................................
Oil . 205 5-speed Manual Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 216
................................
Shif ting the . 172
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 78
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 259
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission . 214
..........................................
Brake . 217
.........................................
Clutch . 217
..............
Manual Transmission . 216
..........................
Power Steering . 218
..................
Windshield Washer . 213
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception . 137
...........................
Folding Rear Seat . 94
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 293
..........................
Four-way Flashers . 78
.................................................
Fuel . 156
....................................
Economy . 162
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 157
...........................................
Gauge . 70
................
Octane Requirement . 156
...............................
Oxygenated . 292
........................
Reserve Indicator . 66
........................
Tank, Filling the . 157
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 162
............
Emergencies on the Road . 283
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 267
...........
Brake System Indicator . 275
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 259
.....
Charging System Indicator . 273
..................
Checking the Fuses . 279
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 272
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 274
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 277
..................
Overheated Engine . 269
.........................
Emergency Brake . 100
......................
Emergency Flashers . 78
......................
Emergency Towing . 283
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 89
.......................
Emissions Controls . 294Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 71
.................................
Drive Belts . 231 Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 66, 274
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 64, 272
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 203
...............................
Overheating . 269
............................
Specif ications . 288
.......................................
Starting . 171
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 173, 177
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline . 292
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 294
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 55
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by . 19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 250
Index
E
F
III
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.....................
Fuses, Checking the . 279
........................
Jacking up the Car . 259
.......................................
Jack, Tire . 259
................................
Jump Starting . 267
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 162
..........................................
Gasohol . 292
.........................................
Gasoline . 156
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 66
...........................................
Gauge . 70
................
Octane Requirement . 156
........................
Tank, Filling the . 157
................
Gas Station Procedures . 157
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 71
...............................................
Fuel . 70
...............................
Speedometer . 69
.................................
Tachometer . 69
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 174
5-speed Manual
.........................
Transmission . 172
..............................
Glass Cleaning . 254
......................................
Glove Box . 101 .............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 241
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 78
Headlights
............
Daytime Running Lights . 74
..................
High Beam Indicator . 66
........................
Reminder Beeper . 73
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 241
...................................
Turning on . 73
..............................
Head Restraints . 92
.....................
Heating and Cooling . 110
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 171
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 73
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 245
....................................
Hood Latch . 220
.......................
Hood, Opening the . 158
..................................................
Horn . 72
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch . 217
.................................
Hydroplaning . 188
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 286
Ignition
..............................................
Keys . 80 ...........................................
Switch . 82
............
Timing Control System . 295
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
Indicators, Instrument
.............................................
Panel . 61
...............................
Inf ant Restraint . 30
Inf ant Seats
...........................
Lower Anchors . 42
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 232
.........................
Normal Driving . 233
...................................
Inside Mirror . 99
.............................
Inspection, Tire . 234
........................
Instrument Panel . 2, 58
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 74
...........................
Interior Cleaning . 252
...............................
Interior Lights . 105
........................................
Introduction . i
Index
G H I J
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CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys . 80
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 176
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 156
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds . 173 ...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 286
..................................
Maintenance . 189
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 201
.................................
Record . 199-200
......................
Required Indicator . 67
..........................................
Saf ety . 190
.............................
Schedule . 192-198
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 66, 274
...................
Manual Transmission . 172
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 216
...............................
Meters, Gauges . 69
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 292
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting . 99
.........................................
Moonroof . 98
......................
Closing Manually . 277
.....................................
Operation . 98 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 156
.........................................
Odometer . 69
...............................
Odometer, Trip . 70
Oil
........................
Change, How to . 205
......................
Change, When to . 192
......................
Checking Engine . 160
..............
Pressure Indicator . 64, 272
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart . 204
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 83
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery . 295
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 293
..............................
Outside Mirrors . 99
....................
Overheating, Engine . 269
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 201
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels . 292
.......................
Label, Certif ication . 286
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 75
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 45
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement . 241
.......................................
Indicator . 61
.........................................
Parking . 73
..................................
Turn Signal . 75
.....................................
Load Limit . 166
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 82
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 82
............................
Fuel Fill Door . 157
.................................
Power Door . 84
...........................................
Trunk . 88
........................
Low Coolant Level . 161
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator . 66
................................
Lower Anchors . 42
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 173
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 64, 272 ...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 288
.........................................
Luggage . 165
Index
L M N O
K
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